More than 20,000 people gathered at Stonehenge to celebrate the summer solstice, with special access to the stone circle extended into Sunday morning.

Thousands more watched the sunrise event through a livestream from around the world.

The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, when the Earth is tilted most directly toward the sun.

Stonehenge is believed to have been built to align with the sun’s path during the solstices, the DW has reported.

Public access to the stones has been restricted since 1978 to prevent vandalism and erosion, though solstice celebrations at the site date back to the 19th century.